"Yes, my lord, and I shall never question their bidding."
"Then you serve our masters well." Zelok took up his goblet and sipped the red wine. "Do you have any idea at all?"
"Not one single word. I pray it holds a solution to the world's illness."
"In a sense, it does," said Zelok. "As you saw firsthand last evening, my kingdom falls victim to violent storms. My people have grown sick, and despair eats at every heart."
"It is indeed horrible," Seth agreed.
"Magic is failing us, and rumors of the end are whispered in every dark corner of my realm. I have even heard of the decline beyond my borders."
"The problems you face are not yours alone, my liege," Seth regretted to announce. "I have seen the weakenings in many places this past month. The Realm of Dan's water supply has dwindled, and the crops do not mature. My king's magicians have not been able to conjure one spell since Beldas's disappearance. Humankind's ability to create magic is less enduring than that of the elves."
Zelok sank back in his chair, looked at the door, and saw Lorn standing very still. "You there, dwarf," Zelok called.
"Me, sir?" Lorn asked timidly.
"You're the only dwarf here," the elf-king laughed. "Come closer, please." Lorn crossed the floor slowly and stood by Seth's side, too shy to speak to royalty any more words than were absolutely required.
"May I present Lorn of Beowulken," Seth announced.
"You honor my court, dwarf of the Beowulken Valley," Zelok replied. The king turned his thoughts back to the matter at hand. "We are more than knowledgeable that the absence of Beldas in the heavens has caused great imbalance." He set the goblet on the table and folded his hands across his lap. "There has been resolution from no one thus far. Beldas' fate must be known, whatever the cost."
"Seth?" Lorn whispered. The knight turned to face him. "Is it that serious?"
Zelok answered for Seth, saying, "It is a matter of survival, my little friend. No one will be spared if something is not done to set the world right. No race will endure--not even the dwarves. The twin moons give the entire world its magic and prosperity. The weather, the tides, and every small link for life depend solely on the heavens' concord. I am not wise enough to say just how much time we have left, but the end draws near--and quickly. In this sickness, my kingdom will become flooded and the Dunane will be wiped away from Londor." Zelok's emotions began to surface. "As long as I sit upon my father's throne, I will not let my people die."
"I assure you, the Council will not let this happen," Seth said, trying to comfort Zelok.
"Yet I have not received counsel from Mudalfaen, my lord Highbinder. This is why I am taking it upon myself to investigate Beldas's disappearance." He paused. "This is where you come into play."
"My lord?" Seth asked, unsure that he had heard aright.
"Sitting at my side are two who set out this very day to restore dignity to my kingdom and to the rest of the world. You, Sir Seth, are their newest companion."
"An expedition?" Seth gasped. "This, then, is the letter's command?"
"Precisely."
"Then I shall honor it and do as you say."
"Good," Zelok replied with a sly grin. "Does the dwarf wish to follow?"
"Without a doubt," Lorn answered quickly. He did not want to be left in Dunane without Seth. The elves would make his stay such an utter misery that he would rather venture into a world of unknown hazards than remain. "I will follow Seth."
"Splendid," was Zelok's pleased response. "I originally had three to leave my halls before you arrived. One that I really had hoped for could not make it. But four is a worthy number, I should say. I did not expect…Council assistance." Zelok sat up in his chair. "Now, the time has come for your companions' introductions. The human you see here is Sir Malander of Muldane."
Seth acknowledged Malander, but Malander did not move. He was robed in all black, even to his gauntlets and knee boots. His hair was dark, short, and pushed forward, barely falling onto his pale forehead. What Seth found most compelling about Malander, though, was the black mask that covered the left side of his face. It was somehow secured without a strap and was decorated by a thin line of silver trim. A double-edged sword lay unsheathed across his lap. Malander stared into the far corner of the room, while his hands kept busy toying with a plain ring of silver on his left hand. Seth knew not what to make of Malander thus far, but he did feel the grim man radiating a mysterious aura.
"At my side is the mercenary Gildan Gundagrin," Zelok continued. Gildan raised his head to the sound of his famous name and awaited a grander introduction. "You are fortunate to have his blade within your party."
"Indeed," Gildan added proudly. "King Zelok, your luck is at its peak with me in your service."
"It is an honor to meet you, Master Gundagrin," Seth said. He had heard the many tales of Gildan's work and looked forward to seeing the elf's skills with the sword. He had also heard of Gildan's lavish mode of dress, and saw it fully in the garments he wore. Some might be tempted to laugh at his attire, but Gildan's proficiency in mercenary work assured him of respect throughout the world, and none dared mock him.
His hair was bright green and rose six inches from his head. Two long braids of hair, fastened by silver holders, fell before his ears and hung to his stomach, and three small jewels were fixed in his forehead, between his brows. Over his right shoulder was a yellow cape with a red and purple pattern of triangles at its hem, draped over finely designed armor of leather that covered both shoulders. He wore a long, green jacket with short sleeves trimmed in yellow throughout. Under his lavish three-quarter-length coat, yellow pantaloons were bunched at his knees. Very little of his red tights could be seen, however, for the boots rode high on his legs. Seth noticed that the tips of the elf's boots curled upward and inward and were made of the finest leather he had ever seen. Also, as bold accents Gildan wore leather gloves that winged out at the elbows, and a matching belt with silver buckle. In each of his slender, long ears, near the points, three small, silver rings gleamed in the light.
"You say it is an honor?" Gildan asked Seth.
"I would say so."
"Then you are correct."
"The person who did not arrive was meant to lead my quest," Zelok said. "But now I must find another to govern."
"I will accept your offer," Gildan said before Zelok could say another word, as if he knew that the position would be laid before him.
"True it is that I have chosen you, Gildan."
"Of course," Gildan replied with a smile. "Alas, this leaves me no choice but to raise the price of my services."
"Is that so?" asked Zelok, unamused.
"Ninety thousand gold pieces," the mercenary stated.
Seth's eyes shot open wide at the bold demand. "Ninety thousand?" he whispered. "Amazing."
"That is ridiculous!" Zelok said. "I can buy an entire army for that!" He grew restless in his chair. "I could send a battalion of my own knights, and the cost would be minimal."
"I see three things wrong with that," Gildan retorted. All in the room were witness to Gildan's skill at business negotiation. Zelok was offended. "First of all, an entire legion could not match my dexterity with the blade. Also, would you risk lowering your numbers needed for Dunane's defense?" Gildan paused, knowing that the bartering was nearly complete--in his favor. "Most importantly, Zelok, I have offers from others who desire to employ my talents." He made as if to rise from his seat. "Now, if you will excuse me…"
"Wait one moment, Gundagrin," Zelok said as he threw up a hand. Feeling in need of a drink, he took up his half-full goblet and drank it down in one go. "Ninety-thousand," he muttered.
Seth and Lorn looked at each other, stupefied. Seth daydreamed of the money and what he could do with it. The idea of being a mercenary filled his mind but soon faded. He knew that serving the Council was his greatest security. The benefits of Mudalfaen would always be there for him, while the life of a soldier for hire was full of uncertainty.
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Zelok came to a hasty decision, and it took him a brief moment to express his thought. "Agreed. You shall have your money."
"This is magnificent news," Gildan said. Ninety thousand was not much to him, since his fortune stretched beyond many small kingdoms' entire resources.
"One-third shall be given to you now, and the rest once the moon is returned or its fate is known."
"Three-fourths now," Gildan replied as he raised a hand. "The one-fourth remaining I shall claim after I bring victory and balance to Londor again. Take it or leave it."
Seth could not fathom how Gildan could speak to royalty in this rude manner. But Zelok replied, "I will have one of my servants set aside your gold in the treasury."
"Thank you dearly, my liege," Gildan said happily. "Now I am ready for departure."
"King Zelok?" Seth spoke. "Could Lorn and I have some food before we leave? We have not eaten in two days."
"Please do, for I can ill afford to supply any of you with provisions for the journey. You can have some of these apples here." Zelok's thoughts dwelt on the expenditure of money to Gildan. "I have lost my appetite."
Seth took five of the small red apples, gave three to Lorn, and placed the other two in his pouch for future consumption. "I think these will do for now."
"Your horses are ready just outside my front gate," Zelok informed the four. "The prayers of the Dunane people shall be with you. Once you have a lead on your investigation, please send word to me at once. We wish you good speed. I pray fortune is on your side."
"Fortune has always been on my side," Gildan added. "It is also in my pocket."
Malander was the first to move. As he made for the door he slid his sword into one of the two sheaths on his back and left without a word. Seth and Lorn then departed. As Seth stopped at the door to allow Lorn to pass through, he saw Gildan speaking to Zelok. From the looks of it, Zelok did not look pleased with the mercenary's words. Seth left the two elves and escorted Lorn down the dark hallway.
"Another journey," Lorn said. "I am not looking forward to this at all."
"I am sorry, Lorn. If I had any notion of this, I would not have asked you to come."
"You did not know what Mudalfaen had planned for you. Do not blame yourself."
"I shall blame myself if something happens to you."
"Be optimistic, Seth," Lorn laughed uncomfortably.
"It will not be safe out there in the open, but I shall protect you at all times. This is my primary function."
"Protect yourself as well."
Strolling back into the main chamber, they stopped midway to wait for Gildan, also taking this moment to partake of the meager food they had been given. As Lorn pulled the first apple from his pouch, he and Seth noticed two elf-maidens strolling toward them with their heads lowered, their faces covered by their long and golden hair. Both were dressed in long flowing gowns of white and blue.
Seth stood up straight as they approached and he could hear one of them slightly sobbing.
The two maidens were startled as they looked up and saw Lorn and Seth who both bowed politely. One maiden gasped as she saw Seth's badge.
"Good morning to you both," Seth said with a smile.
"Good morning to you, as well," replied the one who was weeping. "I am sorry we intruded with your business."
"There is no need to apologize, for you two have committed no offense." Seth looked into their eyes and could see despair written on their delicate and beautiful faces. He could plainly see that the world's imbalance did not spare them either, as sickness came for all upon Londor. Then Seth noticed the maidens looking at Lorn's apple and with quick reaction, Seth reached into his own pouch and took the two apples from his belongings. Holding them out, he said, "Here you go."
"No, my lord," the maiden said quickly, as if the offer was unthinkable. "I cannot take this from you."
"It would mean more to me if you took it," Seth said. He held them out farther and after short hesitation, they were taken by the two elves.
Lorn came forth from Seth's side and held two more apples outward and they, too, were accepted by the maidens. The dwarf bowed again, turned around, and began eating the one apple he kept, watching the front doors of the castle.
"Thank you, kind sirs," one elf-maiden spoke, looking at the gifts as if she just received a bag of gold. Her eyes beamed at Seth, and she kept a deep lock with the knight's blue eyes, finding him very gallant. As her heart began to flutter, she was dragged away by her companion, and both smiled as none could now see their faces.
Lorn stood still as he watched Malander pace the floor next to the front doors. The dark knight's head was lowered. Lorn wiped his beard clean as Seth was rejoined at his side. "That man looks like trouble," the dwarf commented.
"I wouldn't want to cross swords with him," Seth replied. "I wonder how much he is being paid to be here. If my knowledge serves me correctly, Dunane and Muldane have never cooperated militarily. True, they are both allies of Mudalfaen, but these elves do not interact with Muldane at all. So I wager that Malander, too, is hired for service."
But Seth proved wrong in his assessment. Though Malander had accepted mercenary work in the past, he refused payment from Zelok. The elf-king did not understand what had brought Malander to his realm, or how Malander found out about the secret gathering. Two weeks ago, Malander arrived in the valley, and Zelok accepted his aid. For the past fourteen days Malander had lingered about Norganas, particularly at night. Many elves noticed him wandering the dark alleyways almost as if sleepwalking. And one local tavern was graced with the grim man's presence every night. The Dunane were annoyed at first, but once they saw how liberal Malander was in dispensing silver coins, they welcomed him. Each evening he sat at the same bar stool and drank the strongest ale the pub had to offer. When one pint was emptied, Malander's hand rapped the counter, demanding another. The bartender always fretted about Malander's miserable mood after all that he consumed, and no elf dared speak to him for fear of a physical altercation.
Though Malander stood scarcely over five and a half feet high, his muscular build intimidated many. He looked very strong, and his temper was uncertain. As he moved in great, purposeful strides, he muttered strange words to himself, which Seth tried without success to interpret. Now Seth grew restless as he awaited Gildan. To fill the time until the elf arrived, he decided to speak with the fourth of the company.
"Malander?" The grim man stopped in midstep and turned his head in Seth's direction. His glare was as cold as ice, making the hairs on Seth's neck stand on end. "What tidings do you bring from Muldane? I would like to enlighten the Council upon my return."
Malander stood in front of Seth. "What do you want?" his deep voice asked.
Smelling some sort of potent spirits on Malander's hot breath, Seth kept a straight face to avoid aggravation. "My curiosity is meant only for Mudalfaen."
"Do I look like one who would converse on matters of Muldane?"
"Well…," Seth began.
"Why do you bother me?" His eyes never moved off Seth.
"I am passing time; that is all."
"Leave me out of your time-passing," Malander said as he turned back around. He threw up a hand and shook his head as he strode away. "Have some respect for a man of the sword."
"Thank you for your advice," Seth replied.
"You disgust me."
Seth did not know how to react, so he chose silence.
"You see?" Lorn whispered. "Bloody crazy, that one is."
"Appears he doesn't take well to people," Gildan's voice came from directly behind them. Neither had seen or heard the elf come into their presence. Seth looked at Gildan and gave a forced smile.
"When did you get here?" Seth asked.
"Just a moment after your folly," the mercenary laughed. "Surprised?"
"Yes," answered Lorn and Seth together.
"Stealth is a gift," Gildan boasted. "We must be under way now." He headed toward the front doors. "That is, if you ho
ld true to your word, Highbinder."
"By all means, sir," Seth replied. "If my being here is the will of Mudalfaen, then I vow to do whatever I can."
Gildan shook his head slightly. "I will remember your saying that."
The four stood together and were ready to leave, but before any could lift a hand to open the way, the doors swung open and the chamber was flooded with the full light of morning. Their horses had been fed, brushed, and readied, and Seth was delighted to see his mount looking refreshed, showing no sign of the long and wearing ride to Dunane.
"Good morning, sirs," a Dunane elf spoke.
"Good day to you all," Gildan replied as he neared his white steed, already fitted with its lightweight armor of fine metal.
Malander wasted no time on greetings but merely leaped up onto his black horse, which wore only a simple dark saddle and reins. The three warriors sat on their mounts and waited as Lorn struggled upward. Finally, after some help from the elves, he, too, sat astride his horse, whereupon the Dunane servants let go the reins of the four chargers and returned to the palace, each giving a short bow before disappearing inside.
Gildan surveyed the street filled with citizens and merchants. He took in a deep breath, paused, and then, with a gesture of his hand, gave the call to ride. Little attention was given to the four as they rode along.
"What is your plan, Gildan?" Seth asked. He wanted to know what the mercenary had in store for him and Lorn. "I have always been one for structure and order within a plan whenever it is possible."
"Then you are in the wrong place," Gildan answered. "You must realize that Londor is void of structure now." He brushed off the small particles of dust from his jacket. "This disorder creates greater riches for me, but it offsets your staid mentality."
"Then I shall await your wisdom."
"You will receive it in full when the time comes."
The company cleared the bend in the road and entered the marketplace. Smells of many things enchanted their noses: sweet perfumes, roasting meats, and exotic scents they had never known before.
"How wonderful," Lorn commented to Seth. "I adore a place of bartering."
The White Shadow Saga: The Stolen Moon of Londor Page 6